April 11, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Head coach Anson Dorrance of the University of North Carolina women's soccer program announced today a nine-member recruiting class that will join the Tar Heels for the 2008-09 school year. The group includes eight incoming freshmen and a junior transfer.

The new Tar Heels enrolling this fall include Pammy Boneparth; Brittani Bartok; Caroline Early; Merritt Matthias; Emmalie Pfankuch; Kim Currie; Courtney Jones; Jessica McDonald; and Rachel Wood.

Pammy Boneparth is a 5-4 forward from Lawrence, N.Y. She is the daughter of Peter and Heather Boneparth and the sister of Tar Heel junior forward Caroline Boneparth. Boneparth attends Lawrence Woodmere Academy and she plays club soccer for the Rockville Centre Royals. Among her honors are: NSCAA Scholar All-America; Eastern New York Olympic Development Program State Team; High School Conference Most Valuable Player; Three-time High School All-Conference; Member of Club State Championship Team.

Brittani Bartok hails from Union, N.J., where she attends the Pingry School. Bartok competes for the World Class Soccer Club and is the daughter of David and Jackie Bartok. Among her honors are: 2007 U17 National Team Pool; 2005 & 2006 U16 National Team; 2005 U16 National Team Pool; NSCAA Youth All-America; NSCAA High School All-America; NSCAA State Player of the Year in New Jersey; Three-Time New Jersey All-State First-Team; Three-Time New Jersey All-Group First-Team; Club Team Made 2007 USYS National Semifinals and was (a 2 time regional champion, and a Three-Time State Champion; Played on High School Team which Won Three State Championships.

Kim Currie is a 5-6 midfielder from Lumberton, N.C. She attends Lumberton High School and plays for the Coastal Crew Club Team. She is a North Carolina All-State Selection, Member of the N.C. Olympic Development Program and Member of the Region III ODP Team.

Caroline Early is a defender/midfielder from Charlotte, N.C., and the daughter of Hylton and Debbie Early. She attends Charlotte Country Day School and is a Member of the Charlotte Soccer Club. She is also a Member of the Region III ODP Team Pool.

Courtney Jones is a 5-7 forward from Danville, Calif., and the daughter of Brent and Dana Jones. Jones attends Monte Vista High School and plays for the Mustang Fury Club Soccer Team. Among her honors are: Member of Region IV ODP Team; Two-Time NSCAA High School All-America; Member of Club State Championship Team; Two-time California High School Player of the Year.

Merritt Matthias is a 5-6 forward from Birmingham, Ala., and the daughter of Mary Jane Matthias and Mark Matthias. She attends Oak Mountain High School and competes for the Vestavia Attack Club Team. Matthias was a member of the U17 National Team in 2006/07, U16 National Team in 2005/06, and U15 National Team Pool in 2005. She is a Parade High School All-America honoree and a Two-Time NSCAA Youth All-America Selection.

Jessica McDonald is a transfer from Phoenix College. A forward, she hails from Glendale, Ariz. Among her honors are: Soccer Buzz Top 10 National Recruit; 2006 NSCAA/adidas Women's Junior College Division I All-America Second Team; 2007 U20 National Team Member; U21 National Team Pool Member; Member of U17 and U16 National Teams; Two-Time Parade Magazine All-America; Two-Time NSCAA Youth All-America; Played on U.S. U17 Team which won 2005 US adidas Cup Championship; Competed on club team which was the 2003 USYS National Championship Finalist.

Emmalie Pfankuch is a 5-5 forward from Fort Collins, Colo., (Fort Collins High School). She competes for the Colorado Rush Club Team and the Fort Collins Force of the USL. Emmalie is the daughter of Robert and Jill Pfankuch. Amongst her honors are: NSCAA Youth All-America; Member of Region IV ODP Team; Colorado All-State Selection; Most Valuable Player of High School Conference; First-Team High School All-Conference; Member of Two-Time Club State Championship Team.

Rachel Wood is a 5-11 forward from Laguna Niguel, Calif., and the daughter of Ted and Cindy Wood. Wood attends Aliso Niguel High School and plays for the Slammers club team. Among her honors are: 2007 U20 National Team Member; 2007 U17 National Team Pool Member; Parade High School All-America; Member of 2006 ODP National Championship Team; All-CIF First-Team; Orange County Register All-County First-Team.